İzmir Hosts International Culture Policies Workshop

İzmir, a city that has always embraced diversity and innovation, is once again at the forefront of cultural policy development. The International Culture Policies Workshop, organized by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, brings together global experts and local stakeholders to shape a future where culture is not just an amenity but a fundamental right and a catalyst for development.

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Culture is a right, and with all these, culture is development. I propose to manage the culture, which has perhaps come to this day entirely on its own without management from past to present, in a way based on rights, justice, and development from now on.

Mayor Cemil Tugay articulated this vision powerfully, stating that culture transcends mere entertainment or heritage preservation. It is intrinsically linked to our environment, diversity, inclusivity, and our capacity to overcome challenges. "Culture is a right, and with all these, culture is development," he declared. This perspective is deeply rooted in İzmir's progressive ethos, viewing culture as a vital component for building a sustainable, just, and peaceful society. Unlike some Western perspectives that might compartmentalize culture, İzmir sees it as an integral part of urban life, social resilience, and democratic capacity.

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Our world and our cities need sustainability, but more importantly, peace, and a life where people receive their rights justly in peace.

The choice of the Historic Gas Factory as the venue is symbolic. Once a pioneer in industrial innovation for İzmir, it has been transformed into a cultural space, mirroring the city's ability to adapt and repurpose its heritage. This transformation underscores the workshop's core questions: how do we decide what to preserve and what to transform? Tugay rightly pointed out that the distribution of cultural access is a map of inequality, reinforcing the need to treat cultural access as a basic right, not a privilege. This local understanding of culture's role in addressing societal disparities is often missed in broader international discussions.

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The distribution of access to culture also shows the map of inequalities in the city. Therefore, access to culture must be seen as a fundamental right, not a privilege.

İzmir, through initiatives like this workshop, demonstrates a commitment to developing concrete and applicable policies. The municipality recognizes that local governments are increasingly pivotal in shaping cultural landscapes. Culture is no longer a peripheral issue but a strategic element that shapes the quality of urban life, social resilience, and democratic engagement. This proactive approach, driven by a deep understanding of local needs and global best practices, positions İzmir as a leader in cultural policy, not just within Turkey, but on the world stage.

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Culture has been the missing dimension in sustainability discussions for many years.